To honour the town and the show, I studied Rimini’s history and traditions.

Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta was the Seignior of Rimini from 1432.
He was not only a bold warrior, but also a poet and patron of arts.
He was in love with his third wife, Isotta degli Atti, whom he met when she was only thirteen.
Sigismondo wanted a big temple for the town of Rimini, which unfortunately was not completed, but the wonders of the temple are still there to testify Sigismondo and Isotta’s history and love. A famous print of those times represents Sigismondo on his knees and Isotta standing in front of him the day when he dedicated the temple to her.

From that print I took the inspiration to design and stitch Isotta in her garden, surrounded by roses, acanthus leaves and butterflies.
The letters S and I are stitched above chequered panels and they also make a border around the sampler.
The meaning of all symbols and colors of this sampler is explained in the chart pack……………… I guess Isotta would have been proud to see her sampler.